First attempt at wooden scale replacements (pic heavy)

biebs · **on:** September 27, 2012, 05:06:32 AM

So, last week I decided I had to replace the old worn-out (and partially melted) scales from my trusty Huntsman, which I have had on me every day for the last 12 or so years. I started with some oak from some broken bed rails that were in the basement, but decided that she deserved better. Despite my lack of experience and tools, I set out to find some awesome, exotic wood to use. This led me to a local supplier (http://www.kjpselecthardwoods.com/exotics.html), who happened to have a massive bin of off-cuts and scraps. I walked out with 1.5lbs of scraps (some chocobollo, black ebony, quilted makoré, and a slab of abmboyna burl) and all it cost me was $3.20. Score.

Anyway, long story short: using limited tools (a coping saw, Dremel with sand drums, a drill bit, and varying grit of sandpaper), I created two new scales out of some of the chocobolo!

Here is the result:

They're a mite thicker than I would have made them if I had a belt-sander to use to sand them down evenly, but I have large hands, and it sits comfortably in my hand. I want to inlay the cross from the old scales, but I am working out the logistics of that right now. edit- I still have to make the notches for the toothpick and tweezers, but I'll do that before I glue it down.

Also, I don't know the best way to secure them to the metal on the sides. I was thinking of using superglue, but I MAY want to remove them at some time, and I'm not sure how that would work if I were to use superglue.

Lastly, I used one of my hand carved briar tobacco pipes as a stand, because I like to show off. I make those using only a drill and my Dremel.

What do you folk think?

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2012, 05:22:14 AM

I can't tell, but is it a divot? Or is it just the way the vein works showing? Either way it's beautiful work! JR

biebs · **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2012, 05:28:35 AM

Thanks!

There's a minor imperfection/dent on the corkscrew side, just "above" the corkscrew notch (if you look at the pic with the scales standing alone against the flask). This was caused by using the Dremel to try to smooth the upper surface flat. Once it gets a low point, or "wave", in the wood, the Dremel has a tendency to find those low points and make them deeper. I thought I could get it out with my hand sanding, but no such luck (just made it slightly less noticeable).

If that's not what you're talking about, and you're talking about the knot on that same side, then that's just the grain flowing around the knot in the wood. Chocobolo has some cool grain patterns to it.

MadPlumbarian · **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2012, 05:38:50 AM

Quote from: biebs on September 27, 2012, 05:28:35 AM

Thanks!

There's a minor imperfection/dent on the corkscrew side, just "above" the corkscrew notch (if you look at the pic with the scales standing alone against the flask). This was caused by using the Dremel to try to smooth the upper surface flat. Once it gets a low point, or "wave", in the wood, the Dremel has a tendency to find those low points and make them deeper. I thought I could get it out with my hand sanding, but no such luck (just made it slightly less noticeable).

If that's not what you're talking about, and you're talking about the knot on that same side, then that's just the grain flowing around the knot in the wood. Chocobolo has some cool grain patterns to it.

Nope, never would have seen what you were talking about if you didn't mention it! But yeah the corkscrew side, down at the other end, would be pretty cool if your left handed, it would be like a thumb notch, but if its just the beautiful vein work, the cameras just off by a few deg and your just seeing it wrong. Great job! JR

stealth007s · **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2012, 05:49:32 AM

Great job on this!¡!

Gives me ideas for my Champ which has black scales currently (that came with it)

Gareth · **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2012, 09:55:44 AM

Looking good.

I'm especially impressed with the pipe!

As for the glue I know 'goop' glue is popular with guys in the US. I've had good results with 151 Fantastic Elastic myself. Superglue just ends up to brittle in my experience.